Michael Eckert

Recent Posts

When you're comparing different commercial carpet types, it can be difficult to look past different patterns and colors. However, the type of carpet you choose will have a lasting impact on your organization: different carpet types require different levels of maintenance, and some wear out and need replacing sooner than more durable options.

Today, we're comparing seven different types of commercial carpet, covering different construction and dye methods, to help you understand the practical differences between different carpet options.

Adding silicates to concrete is a common tactic for battling the moisture problems that so often derail construction projects. But increasingly, these expensive concrete waterproofing admixtures are being rendered ineffective - or worse, completely redundant - by smart and cost-effective advances in flooring technology.

The WELL Building Standard (WELL) combines design and construction best practices with proven, evidence-based strategies for improving health and wellness. According to WELL, this is the "first standard of its kind that focuses solely on the health and wellness of building occupants".

Today we're looking at some of the key concepts that WELL focuses on, and how they affect health and wellness for building users.

Sustainability has been shown to have a major impact on consumers’ purchasing decisions, leading some companies to work - and sometimes overwork - the ‘green angle’ into their marketing efforts. This means it has become increasingly difficult for designers to differentiate between truly sustainable products and materials, and those where the green claims have been exaggerated.

This practice - of making exaggerated or misleading claims about the environmental benefits of a product - is known as 'greenwashing'. At best, greenwashing is used to make a company appear more 'green' or environmentally friendly than they are; at worst, it's a way to distract from other business practices that may actually be damaging the environment.

Today we're looking at two increasingly prevalent examples of greenwashing, to help differentiate between exaggerated claims and truly sustainable design options.

Most design and construction specifications rely on the manufacturer's installation instructions as a base reference document, and language like"Installed per the manufacturers installation instructions"has almost become common place. Unfortunately, installation requirements vary from manufacturer to manufacturer: some requirements are incredibly vague and hard to follow, and some are so exacting it's almost impossible to get right.

We're highlighting the four main points covered in manufacturers installation requirements, to help you understand why each is so critical for a successful flooring project.

The life expectancy of commercial carpet is affected by several factors, from how it's used to the type of carpet you've selected. Shorter replacement cycles can hit your maintenance budget hard, and it's likely that a slightly more expensive carpet with a longer lifecycle will be better value for your money over its lifetime compared with a cheaper, less durable option.

Today we're sharing four factors that affect carpet longevity, and revealing how long you can expect different carpet types to last in a commercial environment.

High moisture levels are a billion-dollar problem for the construction industry, and flooring is particularly affected. Changes in construction processes, materials used, and accelerated build schedules compound to create one colossal moisture problem.

Moisture causes millions of dollars of damage in the construction industry, and a lot of the time it's flooring that gets hit hardest. As a result, many flooring installers are building moisture mitigation products and processes into their installation quotes as standard.

However, many of the most commonly-used moisture mitigation products don't actuallysolveorpreventmoisture problems from occurring - they simply isolate the moisture issues from the flooring, covering it up so it's out of sight and out of mind.

Mold and mildew is a major problem in any commercial space. Once spotted, it can be removed relatively easily and effectively - though doing so is costly and time-consuming. However, the real problem lies in its ability to spread unseen throughout your building, causing extensive damage - and health problems for building users - for weeks and months before it becomes visible. How? It grows underneath the carpet.

If you're renovating a commercial space, the costs can mount up quickly. One of the costs most often overlooked is carpet installation: many installers provide an all-in-one quote to supply and install, without tailoring the quote to your particular site conditions.

In many cases, however, it can be possible to save thousands of dollars on installing new carpet, if you know what to consider.